Thierry Breton
Photographer: Thierry Monasse / Bloomberg
Photographer: Thierry Monasse / Bloomberg
Dosages of the Covid-19 vaccine “are coming” and the European Union does not need the Russian injection of Sputnik V, according to the EU commissioner in charge of repairing the bloc’s vaccination campaign.
Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner, promised that 100 million doses would be delivered in April and said that continental Europe could achieve immunity until July 14, which is Bastille Day in France.
Meanwhile, the Russians are “struggling to get their hands on” the Sputnik vaccine, Breton said in an interview with French television. On the other hand, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that her country you can use Sputnik.
“Dear Commissioner Breton, please stop being biased. Europeans want a choice of safe and efficient vaccines, which you have so far not provided. Sputnik V is already registered in 54 countries ”, reacted the Russian vaccine developer in a series of tweets. “Your comments pressure Sputnik V not to go through the EMA approval process because @ThierryBreton believes that everything is fine with vaccines in the EU and that Sputnik V is not needed. Are Europeans satisfied with Breton’s vaccination approach? “
Most European countries have resumed distribution AstraZeneca Plc injections on Friday after a suspension to assess possible side effects, a setback for the EU’s vaccination campaign.
Asked about the relatively slow launch of the vaccine in the EU, Breton insisted that Covid-related mortality rates were higher in the United Kingdom and the United States, which President Joe Biden said reached the goal of inoculating 100 million Americans.
Europe is producing up to 150 million doses a month, Breton said, adding that he calls AstraZeneca’s CEO daily to check production. European leaders blamed the company for delays in the vaccination campaign and for giving the UK priority over the EU in deliveries.
(Adds the reaction of the Sputnik V developers in paragraph 4.)